Senator SHERRY —Mr Hutchinson, could you give me a brief summary of where we are at with the National Rail Corporation and the other privatisations that are listed there? Mr Hutchinson —The sale of the National Rail Corporation has not yet begun substantively because of an ongoing outstanding issue between

CHAIR —Today we commence our consideration of the budget estimates 1998[hyphen]99 for the finance and administration portfolio. On 14 May 1998, the Senate referred to this committee the particulars of the proposed expenditure for the service of the year ending 30 June 1999, document A, and particulars of certain proposed

CHAIR —Any questions? Senator SHERRY —On the issue of the budget, what input does the department of finance have in respect of the proposed sale of Telstra and the parameters that are outlined in budget paper No. 1? Mr Hehir —Could you repeat the question? Senator SHERRY —The budget parameters

Senator SHERRY —By the way, I just got some more answers to questions on notice from February in respect of superannuation. I just wanted to indicate that it is very unsatisfactory to get them now. We could have been doing the program before we got the answers. I want to

Senator SHERRY —I asked earlier about advertising and promotional programs outside the asset sales area. Are any planned? Mr Early —If you are asking me about DoFA's own plans, would you mind if we picked that up under corporate? Senator SHERRY —Okay. Mr Early —I am sure people will be

Senator SHERRY —Could I have a quick explanation for the change in running costs on page 32? Mr Ash —Is this the change from the $113.849 million to $57 million on line 1? Senator SHERRY —Yes. Mr Ash —That is from the outcome to the budget? Senator SHERRY —Yes. Mr